Women’s All Mountain Ski Boot Reviews 15-16

Janine Winter – Profeet Ski Lab Manager – reviews the best women’s All Mountain ski boots for 2015/16, including the Salomon X Pro 90, Tecnica Mach 1 105W, Dalbello Avanti 95W, Head Vector Evo 110W, K2 Spyre 100 LV and the Atomic Hawx Magma 90W.

All Mountain Ski Boots for women

All Mountain boots are the biggest category of ski boots. They are designed with ease of access, all day comfort, warmth, optimum control and downhill performance in mind.

More and more manufacturers are producing a boot with custom shell technology where the plastic can be heated to create space where necessary for a fully customised fit. Another trend we’ve been seeing is the forward lean angle has become straighter and the angle of the boot boards flatter so that allows you to stay more centred.

The women’s models are adapted with a softer flex to match our lighter frame, narrower heels to contour our foot shape, lower cuff to accommodate our lower calf muscles and more insulating materials, as our extremities tend to get colder than men’s.

Salomon X Pro 90 – £290                               

Sizes available – 22 – 27.5
Flex available – 90, 80, 70
Last width – 100mm (up to 106mm with custom shell)

The X Pro has been a favourite with the ladies since it was released with instant comfort out of the box. It returns with a fresh new look but remains unchanged for the forthcoming season. With Custom Shell technology the whole shell can be heated and will expand where necessary to fully customise the boot to your foot. The 3D liner has been pre-shaped to the foot providing a great instant fit.  It comes with a calf adjustment which can be lowered to fit a variety of calf shapes. The X Pro 90 is a great option for the intermediate to advanced skier.

Pro: Custom shell means the boot can be fully customised to fit almost every foot shape

Con: There is no cuff adjustment to help with alignment issues

Dalbello Avanti 95W – £310

Sizes available – 22 – 27.5
Flex available – 95, 85, 75
Last width – 99mm

The Avanti series is brand new for Dalbello for the 15/16 season and is focused at intermediate to advanced skiers looking to ski a variety of terrain and snow conditions.  At 99mm wide, the Avanti is ideal for the medium width foot.  It comes with Dalbello’s new ‘Instant Fit’ liner which is quick and easy to mould and great for warmth.  The 95 flex is targeted at the advanced female skier but is available in two softer flexes for the less aggressive skiers.

Pro: Instant Fit liner for quick, easy moulding and warmth

Con: Not the most exciting women’s graphics compared to others

Head Vector Evo 110W – £330

Sizes available – 23 – 27.5
Flex available – 110, 90
Last width – 100mm

The Vector series has been revolutionised for the 15/16 season. It now has ‘Form Fit’ technology meaning that the whole shell can be heated in the oven and customised to your foot.  In a 110 flex, it is aimed at the advanced female skier but does not compromise on comfort.  In a medium 100mm width shell, the Vector still offers great heel hold.  The Vector comes with Head’s famous ‘spine’ buckles which are designed to curve with the shape of your foot and not create a flat spot.

Pro: Spyne tech buckles wrap around the foot when closed without creating a flat spot

Con: Smallest size available is a 23

K2 Spyre 110 LV – £360

Sizes available – 22.5 – 27.5
Flex available – 110, 100, 80
Last width – 97mm (also available in 100mm last)

The Spyre is aimed at the hard charging female looking to explore the whole mountain.  It comes with an Intuition liner providing warmth and a precision fit around the foot, giving great heel hold.  The Low Volume version is a great option for narrow feet, but if you need more width, it is also available in a medium width last.  The cuff height has been lowered to accommodate women’s calves which connect lower and the heel narrower for ultimate control.  It comes with replaceable rubber soles and padded mid-grip under foot for extra traction.

Pro: Has an Intuition liner which is known for warmth and gives a more precise fit

Con: Higher priced than some of its competitors

Atomic Hawx Magna 90W – £280

Sizes available – 22 – 27.5
Flex available – 90, 80, 70
Last width – 102mm

The Hawx Magna series is a brand new addition for the 15/16 season.  Atomic have taken the ever-popular Hawx boot and expanded it into a 102mm last for wider feet.  Generous in the forefoot and calf, the Magna still secures the heel for great control.  It comes with their Memory Fit technology which allows the boot to be heated for a more personalised fit.  The liner has 3M Thinsulate Insulation for extra warmth.

Pro: Memory Fit allows the shell to be heated and expanded where necessary for a customised fit

Con: Generous fit so not suitable for lower volume feet